Shoar Sara, Bazinet Alissa, Jairaj Chaitra
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sequoia Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle). 2025 May 26;3(2):113-120. doi: 10.1089/psymed.2024.0033. eCollection 2025 Jun.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in research exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating mental health disorders, coinciding with increasing psychedelic use and changing legal landscapes in the United States and globally. Despite these shifts, there remains a notable gap in understanding related to the safety of psychedelic use during critical stages of the female reproductive cycle, including menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and menopause.
This narrative mini-review provides a brief summary of recently published articles in this evolving therapeutic landscape and discusses critical public health implications for addressing psychedelic use for women's reproductive health.
Studies have uncovered notable sex differences in users' subjective and physiological experiences of psychedelics. Interactions between psychedelics' mechanisms of action and female hormones suggest opportunities for addressing symptoms of menstruation, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, menopause, and postpartum depression (PPD). Women in indigenous communities have traditionally used psychedelics as important components of healing rituals. Yet, potential risks associated with psychedelic use during the reproductive years, specifically during gestation and breastfeeding, underscore the importance of caution and informed decision-making.
While there is therapeutic potential for psychedelics in women's reproductive health issues, comprehensive research pertaining to women is lacking. While rigorous scientific inquiry into the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of psychedelics in women's health is paramount, public health messaging should dispel myths and promote risk reduction strategies. Collaboration with indigenous communities and vulnerable populations can enrich understanding and ensure culturally sensitive approaches. Through enhanced research and collaboration, psychedelics can be explored to potentially address unmet needs and enhance women's well-being across diverse reproductive contexts. Existing guidance fails to focus on recommendations for women, highlighting the need for harm reduction strategies.
近年来，探索迷幻药治疗心理健康障碍潜力的研究再度兴起，这与美国及全球范围内迷幻药使用的增加和法律环境的变化相契合。尽管有这些变化，但在女性生殖周期的关键阶段，包括月经、怀孕、产后、哺乳和更年期期间使用迷幻药的安全性方面，仍存在显著的认知差距。
本叙述性小型综述简要总结了在这一不断发展的治疗领域中最近发表的文章，并讨论了应对女性生殖健康中迷幻药使用问题的关键公共卫生影响。
研究发现，使用者对迷幻药的主观和生理体验存在显著的性别差异。迷幻药作用机制与女性激素之间的相互作用表明，在解决月经症状、性功能障碍、慢性盆腔疼痛、更年期和产后抑郁症（PPD）方面存在机会。土著社区的女性传统上一直将迷幻药用作治疗仪式的重要组成部分。然而，在生殖年龄期间，特别是在妊娠和哺乳期间使用迷幻药的潜在风险，凸显了谨慎和明智决策的重要性。
虽然迷幻药在女性生殖健康问题上具有治疗潜力，但缺乏针对女性的全面研究。虽然对迷幻药在女性健康中的安全性、有效性和作用机制进行严格的科学探究至关重要，但公共卫生信息应消除误解并推广风险降低策略。与土著社区和弱势群体合作可以丰富理解并确保采用具有文化敏感性的方法。通过加强研究与合作，可以探索迷幻药以潜在地满足未满足的需求并在不同生殖背景下增强女性的福祉。现有的指导方针未能侧重于针对女性的建议，凸显了减少伤害策略的必要性。
